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The Royal Yacht Britannia

Experience Tripadvisor's Best UK Attraction 2023. Follow in the footsteps of Royalty and explore this floating Royal residence with a fascinating audio tour of five decks (available in over 30 languages).

Tripadvisor's Best UK Attraction 2023, Best UK Attraction (Which magazine readers) and Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award winner 

Please note due to the upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Britannia will be closed 25 - 28 June. 

Visit this award-winning attraction, just two miles from Edinburgh's city centre at Ocean Terminal.  The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to some of the world’s most famous people, from Nelson Mendela to Winston Churchill, but above all was home for the British Royal Family for over 40 years. Now you can discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.

You'll receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia's Visitor Centre before you board this famous ship where you will discover the history of Royal Yachts and view displays and historical photographs of Britannia's fascinating past before boarding Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace.

What will you see?

• Tour Britannia’s five decks
• Feel like the captain of the ship in the Bridge
• Follow in the footsteps of Royalty through the State Apartments
• See Queen Elizabeth II's favourite room- the Sun Lounge
• Discover below decks in the Crew’s Quarters
• Admire a tour highlight, the gleaming Engine Room
• Take in the Royal Sailing Exhibition
• Enjoy soups, sandwiches, cakes and scones in the Royal Deck Tearoom and admire the stunning waterfront views.

The tour is available in:

• Audio handset tour, available in over 30 languages
• Children’s audio tour
• Audio tour for those with sight loss
• ASL and BSL tablet
• Braille script ​​​​​​ ​​​​​

Complete the Britannia experience with a visit to the  Gift Shop in Ocean Terminal, where you’ll find exclusive Britannia souvenirs, china, toys, gifts and nautical items.

Berthed just moments away, Britannia's sister ship, floating hotel Fingal, offers 22 luxurious cabins inspired by the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender's rich maritime heritage. For further information, visit Fingal's website .

HELPFUL INFORMATION:

-  Please note that due to upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, Britannia will be closed 11 - 23 March and 25 - 28 June. -  All weather experience -  Highly accessible for wheelchair users, single buggies and those with limited mobility. Read our accessibility statement here . -  Free Annual Pass for 12 months admission included -  The entrance to Britannia is via our Visitor Centre on the 2nd floor of Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

How to get here?

By tram: Take the tram to stop 'Ocean Terminal' (Newhaven direction).

By bus: Majestic Tour Bus and Lothian Buses 10, 16, 34 and 35 run from the city centre towards Ocean Terminal. Majestic Tour buses depart regularly from Waterloo Place / St Andrew Square in the centre of Edinburgh. The Majestic Tour is operated by Edinburgh Bus Tours .

By train:  Arrive in the city centre at Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, just 2 miles from Britannia. 

By car: Follow signs to Edinburgh and Leith or North Edinburgh. Then follow brown tourist signs for Britannia. Free car parking at Ocean Terminal (level E is nearest). For satnav our postcode is EH6 6JJ. Go inside the shopping centre for Britannia’s visitor centre and the start of the tour. By plane: Britannia is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh Airport.

For further information on finding Britannia, please see here .  

OPENING TIMES

Please check the Britannia website for full opening times and prices. EVENING EVENTS Exclusive dinners and receptions can be hosted on board. Call our events team on +44 (0) 131 555 8800 and see how we can create your event of a lifetime, or visit the events section of our website .

PRIVATE TOURS A private tour on board The Royal Yacht Britannia is an exclusive experience, giving you access to Britannia’s five decks, and a unique insight into the history of the Royal Yacht and how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board. Both Morning and Evening tours are available. Call our events team on +44 (0) 131 555 8800 or for more information visit click here . PRESERVING BRITANNIA Britannia is cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust , a self-funding charity registered in Scotland (SC028070). By visiting Britannia you will be helping us to preserve this important piece of history for future generations.

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk See our reviews on Tripadvisor Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram

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Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route
• Public Parking Nearby

Accessibility

• Hearing Loop
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Lift or stairlift
• Large print, braille or audio
• Level Access
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility

Dietary Options

• Gluten Free

Typical Prices

• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Lunch Available
• Licensed Bar
• Cafe or Restaurant

Payment Methods

• American Express
• Diners Card
• Credit Card
• Coastal Location
• Sea/Loch View

Awards & Schemes

Related items of interest

• Sailing on Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound

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Truly Edinburgh

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The Royal Yacht Britannia: discover its history

Once home to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her family, the Royal Yacht Britannia is now moored at Leith the port of Edinburgh.

©Mark Millar, Royal Yacht Britannia

The Role of the Royal Yacht Britannia in the British Royal Family

The yacht provided a sanctuary for the royal family offering them a respite from the demands of public life. It allowed them to escape the prying eyes of the media and enjoy moments of relaxation and privacy.

As they travelled the world it was, said the queen, the one place she could truly relax.

Today the world’s most famous yacht is an Edinburgh five-star visitor attraction and exclusive events venue.

the Royal Yacht Britannia history

Plans to build a new yacht to replace the ageing Victoria and Albert III had first been considered in 1938 during the reign of King George VI but in austere pre-war Britain, it didn’t seem appropriate.

However in 1951, with the king’s health failing, the government decided to push ahead with their plans for a new ship. Sadly King George died before the work was completed.

construction and design of the Royal Yacht Britannia

Like two of the other great ocean-going passenger liners, the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth II, the royal yacht’s life began on the River Clyde. 

It was built in John Brown’s shipyard in Clydebank near Glasgow and launched on 16 April 1953.

Following sea trials, the ship was commissioned into the Royal Navy the following year.

It was the latest in a long line of royal yachts that stretched back to the seventeenth century when the Dutch gave the world’s first royal yacht Mary to Charles II as a gift.

Original designs of the ship had specified a dual role – a hospital ship to be used in times of conflict and a royal yacht. She was never used in the former capacity.

However, in 1986, during a voyage to Australia, without the Queen aboard, the ship diverted to Aden to help in the evacuation of those trapped on the beaches by an ongoing war in the region.

Over 1,000 terrified people were rescued and crammed into every available space.

Both the Queen and Prince Philip took a keen interest in the design of the vessel, working with Sir Hugh Casson on plans for the interior decorations.

The young couple selected fabrics, furniture and paintings, many of them taken from the Victoria and Albert III in an effort to keep costs under control.

The state apartments aft of the funnel were not extravagantly decorated.  Instead, they have a traditional ‘country house’ feel, particularly in the drawing room where chintz-covered armchairs and sofas sit on a plain silver-grey carpet overlaid by a magnificent Persian rug. 

A baby grand piano stood in the corner often providing after-dinner entertainment. Princesses Diana, Margaret and Alexandra were all known to enjoy playing. 

Famous guests aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia

Writer Brian Hoey reminds us of the night Sir Noel Coward came to dinner during a Caribbean cruise. 

“He literally sang for his supper, playing many of his own compositions into the wee small hours. Even on the royal yacht, there was no such thing as a free meal.” 

Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor also pulled up a chair in the State Dining Room.

Of course, they weren’t the only well-known people to visit the yacht.

Over the years Rajiv Gandhi, Sir Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela were only a few of the others on a long list of the world’s most powerful people who enjoyed royal hospitality.

© Mark Millar, Royal Yacht Britannia

Supper’ in Britannia’s dining room could be a splendid occasion. In preparation for a state banquet, Royal Navy stewards would lay the burnished mahogany table with military precision. 

They would carefully place the floral decorations, candelabras and exquisite crystal wine glasses.

With a ruler in hand, they measured the precise position of each shining piece of silver cutlery. Menus were printed and seating plans were discussed before Britannia set sail. 

The Queen and Prince Philip had their own bedrooms and sitting rooms, decorated to reflect their personal taste. The Queen preferred chintz and floral while the Duke liked the more functional wood panelling. 

This elegant lady became a favourite with all generations of the royal family but particularly the Queen who always said it was the only place she could truly be at ease.

Honeymoons at Sea

Four royal couples opted for a honeymoon at sea, onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

They were Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

Princess Diana

A young Princess Diana was happiest when proceedings were kept informal, she was a very special guest as far as the naval crew were concerned. 

On one memorable occasion, she was found in the Junior Ratings Mess leading the crew, or yachtsmen, as they were called, in a rendition of What , Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor. 

One remark in particular sums up the feeling and affection the crew had for her.  “There are 275 men aboard and every one of them is in love with Princess Diana.”

It’s fitting that Prince William and Prince Harry, who often spent their summer holidays on trips to the Western Isles of Scotland loved the freedom and privacy the royal yacht allowed them.

Ambassador for Britain

Beyond its role as a private residence, it was an unofficial ambassador for Britain serving as a platform for diplomatic and official engagements.

Britannia undertook numerous state visits, carrying the royal family and government officials to countries around the world. The yacht became a powerful symbol of British soft power, projecting an image of elegance, grace, and stability to the international community.

On what became known as Sea Days, it would throw open the doors to the world of commerce.

That allowed businessmen to showcase the best of British craftsmanship and design and promote their companies and products to the world.

The yacht became a floating showroom for British excellence, helping to boost exports and attract foreign investment.

The Overseas Trade Board estimated that between 1991 and 1995 the exchequer benefited to the tune of £3 billion.

Decommissioning and the transformation into a visitor attraction

After over four decades of service, the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in Portsmouth on 11 December 1997.

During that long service, the ship sailed over one million nautical miles stopping at 600 ports in 135 countries. 

Rather than being sold or scrapped, the decision was made to preserve the yacht as a visitor attraction, allowing the public to experience first-hand the grandeur and history of this wonderful vessel.

At the Paying-Off Ceremony, the queen clearly sad at the occasion, said: “Looking back over forty-four years we can all reflect with pride and gratitude upon this great ship which has served the country, the Royal Navy and my family with such distinction.” 

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF A VISIT TO THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA?

• Enjoy freshly made food and a warm welcome at the Royal Deck Tearoom.
• Visit the gleaming Engine Room to inspect the John Brown built turbines which drove the ship over a million nautical miles in its many years of service.
• The Wheelhouse , not on the Bridge as you might expect, is on the deck below. Yachtsmen unable to see ahead followed instructions from the officers through voice pipes.
• Admire the lavish State Dining Room , decorated with gifts received on foreign visits.
• Visit the Officers’ Wardroom , sometimes compared to a gentleman’s club, where officers would relax after work. Traditionally the captain did not dine there unless invited.
• Crew’s Quarters: These are much more cramped than the royal and officers’ quarters. They give a glimpse into the living conditions of the working crew. You can also visit the sick bay and the laundry room.

Special events

The Britannia also hosts a series of special events throughout the year, including music evenings and cocktail nights. It is also available for private hire, with the State Dining Room being a popular venue for dinners and receptions.

VISITOR INFORMATION

If you’re visiting during the busiest periods and just turn up, the queues can be long, so be prepared for a wait.

However, many of the available tour options will let you avoid queuing and you can book online on the official Britannia website.

But if you prefer to explore yourself, there are free audio guides in 30 languages to help you find your way around. A range of concession prices is also available.

Can you stay overnight on the Royal Yacht Britannia?

While you cannot stay overnight, you can at the nearby Fingal, a floating hotel moored nearby.

This unique hotel is also owned by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and is one of E dinburgh’s luxury hotels.

• Also nearby is the newest Edinburgh whisky distillery –the Port of Leith Distillery – due to open in the summer of 2023. (The distillery opened in October 2023).

For further information on admission times and help planning your visit, go to the Britannia website.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

The Royal Yacht Britannia is open, start your tour on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal

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Open Tuesday

(Last Admission 5pm)

The Royal Residence

The Royal Yacht Britannia proudly served the British Royal Family for over 44 years. This famous ship was the last of 83 Royal Yachts, a tradition which began hundreds of years before in the 1660s. Britannia travelled over one million nautical miles on 968 state visits. She was a successful ambassador around the world and played a key role in major historic events.

As a floating Royal residence, Britannia was famous across the globe for hosting magnificent state receptions and banquets, and guests would experience the same grandeur and sense of occasion as at any of the Royal palaces. The State Apartments were an elegant setting to entertain world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi.

A Day in the Life

Of Queen Elizabeth II

Global Ambassador

Britannia was the first, and indeed the last, truly global Royal Yacht. Wherever in the world the Yacht went, a little bit of Britain went too.

The Royal Family

As well as her formal role, as the monarch's floating palace and British Ambassador, Britannia allowed the Royal Family some rare privacy away from their public duties and was famously described by Queen Elizabeth II as “the one place I can truly relax”.

I Name This Ship

Britannia was launched from the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank on 16 April, 1953. Queen Elizabeth II became the most travelled monarch the world has ever known, entertaining Heads of Commonwealth countries as if they were at a Royal palace on British soil.

A Personal Touch

Britannia was the one Royal residence for which both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had final say in its design. The inspiration for choosing Britannia's signature blue paint was inspired by one of their wedding gifts, the Racing Yacht Bluebottle.

Decommissioning

Because Britannia played such an important role in both the public and private lives of the Royal Family for over four decades, her decommissioning on 11 December 1997 was a sad day for all.

King Charles III's Visit

3 July 2023

Visiting Britannia

Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023

Start your tour at our Ticket Centre, currently located on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. 

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission.

Due to upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre , Britannia will be closed 25-28 June.

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Fingal Hotel

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

Royal Yacht Britannia: Everything You Need To Know To Visit This Royal Residence!

Visiting the royal yacht britannia in edinburgh.

Of all of the beautiful and historic sites I visited in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Royal Yacht Britannia was hands-down the most intriguing.  Now permanently berthed in Edinburgh, this amazing ship served as a royal residence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the royal family for over 40 years.  Visitors get an up-close and highly personal perspective on the royals, unlike any other royal residence.  But before you head out to the ship, there are a few things you should know.

Royal Yacht Britannia:  An Unexpected Location

I visited the Royal Yacht Britannia on my very first day in the city, and as part of my solo tour of Edinburgh.  I looked at several maps and read several guide books about visiting, but there was one vital piece of information that I never came across in any of my research.  The entrance to the Royal Yacht Britannia is located inside a shopping mall.   Knowing this ahead of time would have saved me several confused minutes, walking around outside the shopping mall, feeling like an idiot.  Once I finally made my way inside the shopping center, the entrance was obvious.

Royal Yacht Britannia:  Touring and Tickets

Touring the Royal Yacht Britannia is surprisingly relaxed.  Visitors moved at their own pace, and are each given an extremely informative hand-held audio tour.   Directions through the ship are very clear, and each level is easily accessed via a tower on the dock that has both stairs and an elevator.

At the time of writing this, an individual adult t icket can be purchased for £16.50, student and senior tickets are £14.50, children’s tickets are £8.75 (age 5 to 17, under 5 are free), and a family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children) can be purchased for £46.00.

The Royal Yacht Edinburgh offers a free annual pass with your initial ticket, good for the 12 months following your first visit.  Be sure to ask about it when you purchase your ticket ( you can read more information about it here .)

Royal Yacht Britannia:  Highlights of the Tour

Every moment aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia was like stepping back in time and getting a glimpse into what royal life is like.  The ship was commissioned in 1952 and officially launched in 1953, and the decor is still exactly as it was.  Visitors can tour all five decks of the ship, and are able to see the State Apartments, including the personal quarters of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.   The State Drawing Room and the State Dining Room were particularly fascinating.

One of the most interesting parts of this tour was all the personal family photos and other objects placed throughout the ship.  Having toured other royal residences where spaces feel extremely formal and historic, the Royal Yacht Britannia seemed much more intimate and quaint than you would expect.  For example, the Sun Lounge, said to be the Queen’s favorite space aboard the ship, was just a simple space where the family could relax and enjoy time together.  A stack of old board games is visible in a cabinet, and you can just picture the Queen and her children enjoying time together, like any other family.

In addition to all the spaces used by the Royal Family, visitors can tour the decks reserved for the crew and staff.  The spaces are small, but well appointed, and visitors get a real feel for how people aboard the ship lived their daily lives.  It quickly becomes obvious why this particular royal residence is said to have been Queen Elizabeth’s favorites.

Royal Yacht Britannia:  The Royal Deck Tea Room

A visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia is not complete without stopping for meal or a relaxing cup of tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room.   I stopped by mid-afternoon after finishing my tour for a scone and a cup of tea, and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the harbor.  The service was excellent and my scone was delicious.

Access to the Royal Deck Tea Room is only available if you have purchased a ticket to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, and they are unable to accommodate reservations.

The Royal Yacht Britannia:  A Fantastic Gift Shop

After finishing your tour of the ship and having a bite in the tea room, do not miss the gift shop at the end of the tour.   Since I visited the Royal Yacht Britannia on the very first day of my trip, I didn’t take full advantage of this fantastic location.  Not only does it feature a wide array of items themed around the ship, but it also has many other wonderful items from all over Scotland.  Had I known how boring and similar all the items I would find on the Royal Mile would be, I would have spent more of my souvenir money here!  It’s definitely worth taking the time to look around and find something you’ll love.  (I spent quite a long time trying to find great, unique souvenirs along the Royal Mile, so to save yourself some time,  be sure to check out my post on Where to Buy The Best Souvenirs in Edinburgh by clicking here !)

The Royal Yacht Britannia is not to be missed by any visitor to Edinburgh!  I highly recommend taking advantage of as much time as you can spare aboard the ship.  I will definitely be bringing my family with my next time I visit Scotland to tour this amazing yacht.

Looking for other things to do while you visit Edinburgh?  Check out my guide to the perfect day in Edinburgh, Scotland !

Royal Yacht Britannia

Royal Yacht Britannia, reasons to visit the Queen’s yacht

Royal apartments.

This beautiful vessel once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II , sailing her all over the world on State visits and Royal Family holidays , and now you too can explore its decks, discovering what life on board was like for both the Royals and the crew .

Useful Information

Nov-Mar 10am-3.30pm

Apr-Sep 9.30am-4.30pm

Oct 9.30am-4pm

£16.50 adults

£14.50 seniors/students

£8.75 children

Free children under 5

On the upper decks, you will see the various rooms where the Royal Family spent their time on board . Imagine them hosting guests in the magnificent State Dining Room, or simply relaxing in the Sun Lounge.

You can also see the Royal Bedrooms, and browse the photography exhibitions about Royal Yacht Britannia’s travels - Princes Charles and Princess Diana even used the yacht for their honeymoon .

For a truly regal experience, stop by the Royal Deck Tea Room, a glass walled cafe on the top deck , offering elegant cream teas and a lunch menu.

It’s also possible to hire out the State Apartments for private functions - Zara Tindell, the Queen’s granddaughter, held her engagement party on board in 2011.

Life for the crew

You can also see the areas of the ship where the Royal Yachtsmen lived and worked . Explore the Sick Bay, Laundry, and Crew’s Quarters, and don’t forget to stop at the NAAFI sweet shop to try their delicious fudge!

The Engine Room is also a highlight, where you will marvel at the massive, gleaming machinery that powers the yacht.

You should also check out the sailing exhibition, to learn about the Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound, which is moored next to Britannia .

If you are interested in the affairs of the Royal Family or f you are passionate about sailing, the experience of exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia will worth the visit.

You can see the Royal Yacht in the harbour of Leith, which can be reached on foot or by bus from the city centre. Enter through the Britannia Visitor Centre inside the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.

Get directions to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Related Activities

You won’t be able to see Bloodhound in July and August, as she is moored in Oban at this time, where she can be hired for day sailing.

Don’t miss...

The magnificent Rolls-Royce Phantom V that remains on board, which travelled with the Royal Family around the world!

Related Posts

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Royal Yacht Britannia

The Queen and the Royal Family’s vessel for over 44 years , the Royal Yacht Britannia has become one of the most famous yachts in the world.

A long life

Britannia was launched in Scotland in 1953 and, since then, has served the Royal Family on 968 official voyages , travelling over one million miles, stopping at 600 ports and in over 135 countries .

The Queen felt at home when she travelled on the vessel and the photos of her children and grandchildren still hang on the walls of the Britannia , as well as various personal items and gifts that were given to the family on their travels around the world.

Throughout its 44 years of service, Britannia has been a residence for official receptions, banquets, and State visits . For these events, 45 members of the royal household would climb on board with 5 tons of luggage.

In 1997, after over 40 years of service, the vessel was decommissioned and is now berthed at Leith Port where curious visitors can explore the majestic Britannia.

The visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia begins in the Visitor Centre found on the second floor of the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre . In this centre, you’ll be able to discover the vessel’s past through numerous photographs.

Before visiting the Royal Yacht, you'll be given an English audio guide with all the details of the vessel.

Beginning with a visit to Britannia’s Bridge , visitors will also explore the State Apartments , the Crew’s Quarters, and finish at the Engine Room .

Although the Queen’s chambers are very plainly decorated, other parts of the vessel are extremely lavish, like the Rolls Royce that sits permanently in the vessel’s garage.   

A ship like no other

Even if you're not passionate about boats, wandering through the Royal Yacht Britannia’s rooms will satisfy any inquiries about the Queen and the Royal Family you might have . Information such as who slept in what room, how many people worked on board, what visitors were invited to visit the Britannia and the countries it has visited, make for an entertaining tour.

Ocean Terminal.

From January to March: Open daily: 10 am – 5 pm From April to October: Open daily: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm November and December: Open daily: 10 am – 5 pm

Adults: £ 18 ( US$ 23) Students: £ 16 ( US$ 20.40) Children (aged 5 – 17): £ 9 ( US$ 11.50) Children under 5: free entry

Buses: Ocean Terminal , 11, 22 or 35.

Nearby places

Royal Botanic Garden (2.7 km) Calton Hill (3 km) Scottish National Portrait Gallery (3.1 km) Palace of Holyroodhouse (3.2 km) Scottish Parliament (3.3 km)

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Royal Yacht Britannia & Leith

The royal yacht located in the port of leith (edinburgh).

In the harbor district of Edinburgh, Leith, lies the Royal Yacht Britannia. Read all the information about how you can visit this impressive royal yacht with a guided tour.

Visit the royal yacht in Leith

For forty years, the Royal Yacht Britannia was the official means of sea transportation for the British Royal Family. Today you can visit the royal yacht in the harbor town of Edinburgh , Leith . Visit the royal family's five-deck yacht with an audio guide and learn about the state apartments and crew cabins.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

For more than 44 years, the Britannia sailed the British monarchs around the world. The Britannia was the last yacht of a total of 83 royal yachts. In total, the Britannia has sailed more than one million nautical miles on her way to approximately 968 state visits around the world. It is not surprising that the ship has played several key roles in major historical events. Britannia was also known for the large state banquets that were organized on deck. The Royal Apartments have hosted many well-known world leaders.

What to see on the Royal Yacht?

According to many, the highlight of a visit to the Royal Yacht is the viewing of the Queen's Bedroom. Other areas you will see include the States Apartments, the State Diner Room, and the Engine Room. Also visit the famous Sun Lounge, where the Queen loved to have breakfast or drink tea. Or take a look at the Admiral Quarters, where the admiral worked and often ate during his visit to the Royal Yacht . Where the British monarchs used to enjoy games and entertainment, nowadays you can have a bite to eat and enjoy the view over the sea.

The still bustling Leith

Leith is a pleasant harbor district in the north of Edinburgh. Since the bustling harbor was here in the eighteenth century, Leith was Scotland 's main port for products such as wool, wine, spices and raw materials. In 1920, Leith officially became part of Edinburgh . The yacht of the British monarchs docked at Leiths Ocean Terminal after her last voyage and is still here. Although Leith therefore became known among tourists, this district also has its own charm.

Innovative restaurants

In terms of restaurants, you won't have to starve in Leith. You will find unique, innovative restaurants everywhere and there are even two Michelin restaurants in the district: The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart . Food in a cozy atmosphere can be found in Borough's. Or visit one of the many seafood restaurants, such as Ship on the Shore. If you prefer Italian or Asian cuisine, visit East Pizzas and Lucky Yu respectively. You don't have to look far for lunch either. Leith offers you the largest sandwiches in Alby's. The port town's first wine café is Toast and for coffee lovers you have Williams and Johnson.

Where is the Royal Yacht Brittania in Edinburgh?

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Review Highlights

“ What you can see is: the sleeping rooms of the royal family ; those for the staff and the guests. ” in 26 reviews

“ They also offer audio guide at the entrance so we could have better understanding of what is what. ” in 13 reviews

“ The entrance in the Ocean Terminal is great, the audio tour is excellent and the boat is laid out perfectly. ” in 14 reviews

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Ocean Terminal

Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

United Kingdom

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Experience the UK's No. 1 Visitor Attraction (Best UK Attraction Which? Magazine). The Royal Yacht Britannia proudly served the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over one million miles around the world. Now berthed in Edinburgh, you can follow in the footsteps of Royalty and world leaders with a fascinating complimentary audio tour of her magnificent five decks, available in 27 languages. Tablets are available with the British tour in British and American Sign Language. There is an audio handset tour in 'Basic English' for visitors with learning disabilities. From the Royal Apartments to the Crew's Quarters and Engine Room, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Treat yourself in the Royal Deck Tea Room with delicious menus made on board in the Royal Galley, stunning waterfront views and waiter service that will make you feel like Royalty. Complete your tour with a browse round the fabulous Gift Shop in Ocean Terminal. The Royal Yacht Britannia is also an exclusive private events venue. …

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A unique experience. The rich history and opulence are unparalleled. The tour includes many different areas and allows you to see the areas that visitors did not see (such as the laundry room).

We took the hop on hop off bus here. Unfortunately, the ticket agent didn't reduce our ticket prices with tour ticket for the bus; however, we contacted them afterwards and they made arrangements for the proper credit. Wonderful customer service! The vessel itself and the interiors were all excellently preserved and a marvel to see. You could imagine when the royals were milling about or the many staff were busy to keep the yacht moving and operating. We enjoyed the self guided tour. There were plenty of restrooms on board for public use. There was also a cafe for tea and a fudge shop.

I've been wanting to visit the Queen's Royal Yacht since I was a kid. I just knew I couldn't visit Scotland without seeing it, so it was the first thing I did after I arrived in Scotland. Parking was plentiful on my visit, however, I had a hard time locating the parking garage. I had to drive up and down the street a couple of times before I realized where the entrance was. Totally my fault because I was still learning the methods of driving in Scotland at this point. I purchased my timed entry ticket a month in advance, but I was running 30 minutes late for my entry window due to heavy rain and even heavier traffic from Glasgow. I was worried that they would deny me entry when I got there per the entry rules on their website. However, when I arrived, they scanned my ticket with no issues. I was very happy I purchased my ticket in advance because they were extremely busy. I do wish they would remove the timed entry though, it's truly stressful when things happen out of your control and you can't make your entry window. After my ticket was scanned, I waited in line to pickup an audio headset for the tour. The audio tour is great because it gives you some history and insight into what you're seeing as you move along the Yacht. I'd set aside 3 hours for the tour if you want to see, read, and hear the audio in every room. If you're short on time, 2 hours is the minimum amount of time I'd plan around. The Yacht is huge and if it's busy, you'll have to do a lot of waiting in line before you can move forward. It was raining and cold during my visit, so guests who didn't have umbrellas huddled into some of the warm rooms to get out of the rain and warm up. This really made it harder to see and capture pictures in some of the key areas. I highly suggest you bring an umbrella just incase, it's Scotland after all, and it will make your tour easier if it does rain. The Yacht was absolutely amazing. It was cool to see Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's bedroom's, as well as the Royal Dining Room that hosted President's, World Leaders, and other Notable persons. My absolute favorite was the Sun deck. I could totally visualize Princess Margaret sitting in a lounge chair with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of something strong in the other as she looked out at the ocean. I'm sure the Royal children including King Charles have some great family memories on that sun deck. Lastly, I really enjoyed learning about the Royal Navy and other service staff who manned and lived on the Royal Yacht. It's amazing to think it took 300 service people to run this ship anytime the Queen, Prince, or other Royals were on a voyage. It's nice to know the service staff were well taken care of as well. Ticket prices are well worth everything you get to see and learn about while on the Royal Yacht. Queen Elizabeth II truly lived a Royal Life made for a Queen. I'm grateful I was able to get a glimpse of the life she was given. People say Scotland was Her Majesty's favorite place in the world, it's only suitable that her home on the sea rest in Scotland as well. I highly recommend a visit to the Royal Yacht if you ever find yourself in Edinburgh, it's definitely worth the visit.

See all photos from Monica H. for The Royal Yacht Britannia

Amazing to the opulent wealth of British Royals. Captains were admirals in the royal navy. Used for weekend cruise ship. Costing millions of pounds. For no other purpose than spoiling incredible wealthy people at taxpayer expense. Peasants.

Great trip through history and the exhibits on the yacht are fantastic. The tea room was also a great experience and the entire staff were helpful and friendly.

Vies from the tea room

We visited the Royal Yacht Britannia years ago and this is the first time we have been back. What a great decision. The entrance in the Ocean Terminal is great, the audio tour is excellent and the boat is laid out perfectly. The tea room during the middle of the tour is lovely with a service befitting the setting. All in all a lovely 1 1/2 hour visit.

Our visit aboard the RYB was so much more interesting than we imagined it would be! This was Queen Elizabeth & Royal Family's home away from home from 1953 to 1997. It sailed 1,000,000 nautical miles. It's a fascinating contrast with the stately private and public rooms that the Royal Family occupied and the below deck quarters of the "Yotties" who served aboard. The RYB hosted 968 state visits with such luminaries as: Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Ghandhi. There were many other official receptions, four Royal honeymoons and over 44 years of Royal holidays spent aboard. I especially liked the Queen's bedroom and Prince Phillip's next door, the state dining room with ornate place settings, the "casual" wood floored sun room and the top deck Tea Room. The officers' pub below decks, the non-officer lounge and the various gifts from around the world were also worthwhile. It's £16 for adults and a free audio set (a bit clunky and unwieldy though) is included in the price. There's a really well-stocked gift shop with lots of variety and they sell the ship's homemade fudge both onboard and in the shop. Your admission helps to preserve the ship via the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. This was the last of 83 Royal yachts in a tradition that began in the 1660's! There is free parking at the Leith mall where it is located. We took the city bus from the Royal Mile and the bus drivers were kind enough to help us with the fare. I usually don't say this about "tourist" attractions, but I'd come back for high tea on that beautiful upper deck with a view. Yelp Challenge 2018: 70/100

As an American, we found it interesting at the opulence of the Royal family. We have no royalty here in USA, so we find it interesting at the money spent to keep the Royals living in such opulence. I am disabled, and it was great for me to see it. The staff was wonderful and helpful. I was surprised to se that Admirals commanded the operation of what essentially was a pleasure craft for the Royal family. As I understand it....they are not actually in command of anything in the UK. Basically public figureheads. In the US, our President lives in opuance also, but much is needed to protect the actual head of our Government. The Britannia is well worth seeing, and this was my second visit being there 2018 as well.

Nice tour, but a shame that you can't move directly between decks (there is an access stairwell that connects all decks). Nicely maintained vessel. The Royal Deck Tearoom on the Britannia was a pleasant stop for coffee and tea during our tour of the yacht. Pretty standard tearoom fare, and a bit expensive, but great views and nice place to spend some time. The Britannia is an easy bus ride from the Royal Mile area, but still took over 30 minutes to get there.

Being a navy veteran, I was really anticipating our visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia and I wasn't disappointed. The yacht is well preserved and really shows off the grandeur of how the Royal family traveled. There is a bit of a "disconnect" between the grandeur of the yacht and the real world as you enter the yacht exhibit through a shopping mall. There is an admission fee to tour the yacht but it's well worth the cost of admission. We used the self-guided audio tour which did a good job of explaining what we were seeing. This is an excellent attraction and is well worth the admission fee. The yacht is well preserved and well maintained.

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Touring the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh, Scotland

By: Author Kristi

The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland . Built in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II and her family, the yacht served as a home away from home for the royals for over 44 years.

Today, visitors can tour the lavish interior and learn about the king’s and queen’s lives on board.

With its stunning architecture and rich history, a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia is not to be missed!

Royal Yacht Britannia

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were the last royals to live on board the yacht before it was decommissioned in 1997.

The yacht was used by the royal family for pleasure trips, official visits, and state occasions. It was also used as a floating hospital during the Falklands War in 1982.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is now docked at Leith docks in Edinburgh, and it is open to the public for tours.

Royal Yacht Britannia Tour

The fact that you can tour the actual yacht that the Queen and her family spent so much time on is pretty amazing.

Visitors can explore the yacht’s lavish interior, including the royal apartments, staterooms, and engine room. The furnishings are exactly the same as they were prior to it being decommissioned.

While you can tour it on your own, the audio tour is complementary and will take you on a guided and detailed tour of everything you will see on the Royal Yacht Britannia’s five main decks.

There is also a kid version of the audio tour that will help keep the kids entertained. There is also a Corgi-spotting activity where kids look for the Queen’s corgis (in the form of stuffed animals) on the ship.

What You Will See on the Royal Yacht Britannia

State Apartments and Royal Bedrooms

The Royal Yacht Britannia is the only place where you can see the living quarters of the existing British monarch.

You will see that the royal bedroom of Queen Elizabeth is adjoining to that of her husband.

When King Charles and his wife Diana stayed onboard for their honeymoon, they used this room but added a second single bed!

The Sun Lounge where the Royal Family could relax and take in the views from the large windows that span across the front of the ship.

State Dining Room

This dining room would be where Queen Elizabeth would entertain heads of state and other dignitaries

It seats 96 people and the table features china that is embossed with the Royal Britannia crest.

The Royal Deck Tea Room

Don’t miss taking time to relax at the tea room onboard the Royal Brittania and grab a coffee or tea. This space was once used for cocktail parties and receptions.

We had pastries and coffee, while the kids enjoyed a hot chocolate.

Royal Yacht Britannia Ticket Information

We suggest purchasing your tickets in advance because only a certain number of people are permitted access to the ship at a time. You should plan to be on the ship for approximately 2 hours.

Royal Edinburgh Ticket

If you choose to purchase the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, you will fast-track admission to The Royal Yacht Britannia along with some of the major attractions in Edinburgh .

It also allows you to use the Hop on hop off bus which can take you here from central Edinburgh.

How to get to the Royal Yacht Britannia

• The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley.
• If coming by car, simply follow the brown Britannia signs. There is free parking at Ocean Terminal
• Britannia is berthed alongside Ocean Terminal. Here you will find an upscale waterfront shopping center with more than 70 shops, bars, restaurants, and a cinema. Britannia’s Visitor Center is located on the second floor of Ocean Terminal.

Have you visited the Royal Yacht Britannia? What was your favorite part of the ship?

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Friday 9th of February 2018

What an amazing tour and peek into the Royal family's private quarters. Interesting that couples never slept in the same bed together. Wonder if it's due to security??? The tea room looks amazing! Great tour experience.

Thursday 8th of February 2018

wow that is so cool! I have never been on a yacht so this looks pretty amazing. Great to see what it looks like from the inside as well!

This ship really does look fit for royalty! What a neat experience. I wonder how they dealt with security when it was in use. Especially if everyone knew that the boat held people from the royal family!

I heard that 95% of the original items from when Britannia was in royal service are still on board including furniture, artefacts, paintings and photographs. Is it right ? I guess that there is something for everyone on the visit whether you are interested in the Royal Family, the Royal Navy, history, or just want to spend a great day out :-)

Wednesday 7th of February 2018

Wow! It's so spacious. How many houses do yo think could fit in in the ship? Of all the rooms you showed in the pictures, the Sun Lounge looks less formal compare to others. It's my favorite room in the ship.

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A Tour Guide to Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh Scotland

First Royal Yacht Designed for Ocean Travel

Commissioned just two days before the death of king george vi, created to double as a hospital, home to a lot of history, redesigned to be less opulent, has homely touches by royal standards, a royal honeymoon essential, a family vacation spot, the decommissioning in 1997, features of this ship, the queen’s favorite room, royal apartments and bedrooms, naafi sweet shop, royal deck tea room, the entrance, car parking, opening time.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia is Leith's most popular attraction. Great Britain has had a very strong connection with the seas and oceans for centuries. Plan your trip for a tour of the iconic royal yacht Britannia in the beautiful city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Rated as one of the top 5 tourist attractions in the UK, this is truly a must-visit place. Here is a brief information about the story of this royal vessel, activities and things to do, along with all the facilities it has to offer.

Story of Royal Yacht Britannia

The British royal family too has the same long history of seafaring. HMY Mary (HMY standing for His or Her Majesty’s Yacht) was the first official royal yacht. It was gifted by the Dutch to Charles II in 1660. Over the centuries, the British monarchy has used 83 royal yachts including the current one, the HMY Britannia, also known as The Royal Yacht Britannia. Though the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned from royal service in 1997 and despite some efforts to get a new one, there has been no replacement for it so far. With its seafaring days long over, The Royal Yacht Britannia remains an important piece of history. It gives a sneak preview of the royal life with interesting stories behind it.

Royal Yacht Britannia was the first royal vessel that was designed for travel across oceans. John Brown & company built it in a Clydebank shipyard. It is also regarded for building famous liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. With 12,000 horsepower to propel it in the oceans, the ship could sail at the max — speed of 22.5 knots which was quite reasonable. Before its commissioning, the royal family used the British Naval ships or even passenger liners for their sea travel during royal tours across the commonwealth. The Royal Yacht Britannia was in royal service for 44 years and traveled 1.1 million miles throughout its life span in royal service.

The idea of having an ocean capable royal vessel was conceived. So that the royals could comfortably tour their far-flung commonwealth and with the belief that travelling may improve the failing health of the reigning King. Just two days after the order was placed to the shipbuilders, John Brown Shipyard in Scotland, the King died on 6 th Feb. 1952. The ship was built in little over a year and was officially named only during its launch in April 1953. It was just two months before the new monarch, and Queen Elizabeth was coronated. The ship was named Royal Yacht Britannia by the Queen who toasted it by opening a bottle of wine as Champagne was considered very extravagant for celebrating the launch ceremony of a ship at that time.

Envisioned to be built less than a decade post-WWII, the ship designers planned to build the ship as functional as possible so that it could be transformed from a royal ocean liner to a seafaring floating hospital during wartime. As a result, the main veranda was spaced wider and re-enforced to support helicopter landing. The laundry area was made much larger than naval vessels to accommodate wounded soldiers in the event of a war. The ship was never actually used for that purpose though. However, Royal Yacht Britannia was put to service for a mission to rescue European nationals from Yamen in 1986.

The Royal Yacht Britannia had many pieces of history on it. The white and gold binnacle in the ship’s verandah was picked up from HMY Royal George, which served Queen Victoria. Some of the Queen’s bedroom linens were originally made for her bed aboard older royal yacht.Royal Yacht Britannia had its steering wheel lifted from its namesake racing yacht HMY Britannia that was built in 1893 for King Edward VII.

Despite the sense of opulent luxury that a royal yacht exuberates, the Queen and Prince Philip, the interior plans by the ship’s original interior designers found it too lavish for a country. Still recovering from war, it got redesigned by Sir Huge Casson. The ship in her 44 years of service has received minimal updates throughout.

The low-key royal living is a fairly high class by any standards on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The floating royal home has a 56-seat state dining room which has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, many US Presidents and has a formal staircase where the Queen would greet her guests. It has separate bedrooms and sitting rooms for both the Queen and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh and a telephone system with similar configurations as Buckingham palace systems. During her earlier years, The Royal Yacht Britannia used to carry the Queen’s car, a Rolls Royce Phantom V, in a special garage compartment. The space being slightly small, the car’s bumpers used to be dismantled for storage to avoid damage and refitted at the port of call. As the Queen started using the car provided for her at the port, this space was converted to a storage space for beer.

Four royal couples, starting from Princess Margaret & Anthony Armstrong Jones in 1960, have celebrated their honeymoons in the honeymoon suite of Royal Yacht Britannia. This is the only room aboard which has a double bed. Since then, Princess Anne and Capt. Mark Phillips, in 1973, Prince Charles & Princess Diana in 1981, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have famously traveled on The Royal Yacht Britannia for their respective honeymoons. Stories of these tours abound with one who got the ship its nickname “the ghost ship” owing to the crew that ducked the press so effectively during the Mediterranean honeymoon cruise of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

In addition to her diplomatic duties on frequent royal tours and as a honeymoon retreat, The Royal Yacht Britannia was also used as a vessel for family vacations. During summers, it catered to the royal family’s western Isles tour cruising around Scotland with a stopover to play games and barbeques on the islands. The tour would also have a stop off at Castle of Mey to visit the Queen Mother and a port of call at Aberdeen for the Queen to visit her favorite summer home, The Balmoral Castle . Though no longer used as a private yacht for tours, it still has connections with the royal family. The oldest granddaughter of the Queen, Zara Phillips, hosted a reception a night before her wedding in 2011 on the ship. The guests included all her royal cousins though the Queen was not in attendance.

Having clocked 1.1 million miles on the seas, Royal Yacht Britannia was finally decommissioned on 11 th December 1997. The Queen was seen shedding a tear at the ceremony as so many memories were attached to it. Since the Queen officially took leave of it, the ship is docked in the port of Leith in Scotland. It now serves as a floating museum and venue for events for those who can afford it. All the clocks aboard the ship remain stopped at 3.01 hours which is the exact time the Queen disembarked the vessel for the last time. The Queen has never visited the yacht ever again till date.

Initially, there were plans to get a replacement yacht, but the government eventually declined to fund it, and thus it remains an unfulfilled plan.

The ship was designed with three masts – a 41 m foremast, a 42 m mainmast, and a 36 m mizzenmast. A portion of the top of the foremast and mainmast were hinged to be removed to allow safe passage under bridges. A floating palace, Royal Yacht Britannia was built to double up as a hospital in the event of a war and was a functional royal residence.

It had a capacity of 250 guests and carried one platoon of Royal Marines and 21 officers with 250 Royal yachtsmen while carrying the Queen or the royal guests. Five of the decks open for public viewing include the Queen’s sleeping chambers, the state drawing, and dining rooms and a honeymoon suite with a double bed. It also had a garage to carry the Queens Rolls Royce Phantom V during the royal journeys. The Royal Deck Tea Room was added in 2009.

Royal Yacht Britannia had a steering crew who could not see where they were going as unlike on most ships, where the steering wheel sits on the bridge on the topmost floor. The Britannia’s wheel room is one floor below blinding the crew. To navigate, the crew used voice pipes to convey navigational orders to circumvent this problem. Amazing but true.

To maintain silence and calm during the Royal presence onboard, the crew would use hand signals instead of shouting orders. It was also the last Naval ship where the crew slept in hammocks, a practice that was discontinued in1973.

What Can You Do on Board?

The five decks of The Royal Yacht Britannia are open for public viewing as the ship was converted to a museum. The following are the few attractions on the yacht.

The sun lounge was the Queen’s favorite room where she liked to have her tea at 8.30 AM whenever sailing on onboard. She would view the shipping chart at 11 AM here reviewing the sailing progress it made during the night as she got back here for coffee. She liked having her afternoon tea here at 5 PM. The wooden-floored and paneled Sunroom remained the Queen’s favorite room for relaxing and informal time spending.

The yacht was a functional royal residence for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburg. It was fully equipped with all conveniences to host world leaders who have stayed in the royal apartments in the royal vessel. You can see the grand staircase where the Queen would greet her guests, a state drawing-room along with a state dining room for 56-guests. The Queen would sit on the port side of the dining table and used a small bell to clear off a food course. You can also see the Queen’s bedroom and sitting room which is covered with a glass screen for protection.

As in all Royal navy ships, Britannia has a NAAFI (Navy, Army & Air Force Institute) shop where the crew could buy sweets, papers, magazines and special Britannia souvenirs along with daily need items like razors and toothpaste. You could visit it too on your own to Royal Yacht Britannia.

The Royal Deck Team Room was added in 2009 in The Royal Yacht Britannia where you can enjoy freshly made food with stunning views and are warmly welcomed here. Treat yourself with tea and onboard baked snacks on the very same spot where the royals would have played games and entertain during their royal tours.

The onboard award-winning gift shop is a good place to buy exclusive gifts for your loved ones. Buy beautiful Britannia souvenirs to immortalize your tour to a royal icon.

Information about Royal Yacht Britannia

After being at service of her Majesty, The Queen and the Royal Family for more than 40 years and sailing over 1.1 million miles, the majestic Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed in Leith in Scotland. The place is just 2 miles from the city center of Edinburgh. You can follow the lives of the royalty on this tour with this most special royal residence. You can be part of the historic icon which hosted the Kings & Queens of the world along with important world leaders who have been a guest here. This famous ship is one of the top 5 landmark attractions in the UK. You can visit The Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland - EH6 6JJ.

As you reach the Ocean Terminal, which is the entrance of the Royal Yacht Britannia museum, you will get a truly warm welcome. The terminal is the gateway and boarding point for the ship. It has a replica Lego model of Britannia. You can view the historical royal photographs in the gallery before you get on board the ship. You can get a complimentary audio headset which gives you an audio tour of the 5 main decks in 30 languages.

Same-day tickets for the tour can be bought onsite at the Ocean Terminal visitor center before 8 am. You can also pre-book your ticket online for added convenience. Look out for discounts or special offers that may be applicable from time to time. The ticket free costs £16.50 for adults, £14.50 for senior citizens (60 years), £14.50 for students with valid ID, £8.75 for children (5-17 years), free - children under 5 years. There is also a family package of £46 (2 adults and up to 3 children).

There is ample free car parking available at the Ocean Terminal for Britannia visitors. The level E of the blue car park will get you to the same level as the Britannia’s visitor center. There are reserved car parking slots for disabled and dedicated bays for parent and child parking on this level.

The museum opens for admission at 10 am and allows admission till 3.30 pm, 7 days a week from Jan- March, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm from April- Oct. and 10 am to 3.30 pm in Nov- Dec. It closes 2 hours post the last admission.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is closed for visits on 25 th Dec. and 1 st Jan. due to holidays.

How to Get There

Royal Yacht Britannia can be reached in just 15 minutes by car from the Edinburgh city center. The visitor center is located on the 2 nd floor in the Ocean Terminal. For satnav guided driving, punch the codes EH66JJ or use google maps to reach here. Follow road signs for Edinburgh and Leith/ North Edinburgh. You will see brown Britannia signs for the final approach.

There are local bus services from Edinburgh city center. Lookout for Lothian Bus services with bus number 11, 22 or 35 which have service to the Ocean center. The ticket can be purchased in the bus carrying exact change. You can also buy bus tickets online at form-tickets. Optionally you can consider Majestic Tour buses which depart from Waverley Bridge at Edinburgh city center. You will get a 10% discount showing your Majestic bus ticket on your Britannia admission ticket.

Royal Yacht Britannia is approx. A 45-minute drive from Edinburgh airport. The new Lothian Skylink 200 service directly connects the airport to the Ocean Terminal.

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Reflecting on Edinburgh's Royal Yacht Britannia 25 years after arriving in Leith

As the nation gears up for the historic coronation of King Charles III, we wind the clock back a quarter of a century when the monarchy's own Royal Yacht Britannia made her way home to her final resting place in sunny Leith.

• 12:54, 5 MAY 2023

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When the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997 following forty-four years of serving the country, the late Queen Elizabeth II thanked the ship and its crew for providing "great support" to the nation.

Having sailed one million miles, carrying over 700 hundreds royal visits at home and overseas, the Queen hailed the ship's achievements as "a great testament to those who designed and built her."

The year after the ship was decommissioned, it made its way to Leith where it has been an ever-present for 25 years as we approach the momentous anniversary of the Royal Yacht Britannia docking in Edinburgh.

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Thousands lined the dock as the impressive vessel made it way into the harbour in 1998. Many now know it as one of the capital's most popular tourist attractions, welcoming around 350,000 visitors every year.

Images taken on May 5, 1998 show hundreds of excited locals in awe as the vessel sails into Leith Docks, played in by a pipe band.

As well as the ship herself, a special museum is also present within Edinburgh's Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre where visitors can read about every landmark achievement the ship made and just how much the late monarch loved it.

The Royal Yacht was in service from 1954 until 1997 and was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660. During her extensive career, the yacht visited more than 600 ports in 135 different countries.

HMY Britannia, as she is also known by, was built at the shipyard of John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank. The Queen officially launched the vessel on April 16, 1553 and commissioned her on January 11, 1954.

The ship was designed to be converted into a hospital ship in time of war, although this capability was never used. In the event of a nuclear war, it was intended for the Queen and her husband Prince Philip to take refuge onboard off the north-west coast of Scotland.

At 20:00 on 17 January 1986, the Yacht dropped anchor at Khormaksar Beach. Civil war had broken out in South Yemen and ships were urgently required to evacuate British nationals and others trapped by fighting. As a non-combatant Royal Navy ship, Britannia would be able to enter territorial waters without further inflaming the conflict.

In 1994, the government announced the yacht's retirement. It last underwent a major refit in 1987 with a further refit at an estimated cost of £17million necessary in 1996-97 but would only have prolonged her life for a further five years.

In view of her age, even after the refit she would be difficult to maintain and expensive to run.

In a special sending-off ceremony letter, written by the Queen as one last goodbye to Britannia, she said: "Together with members of my family, Prince Phillip and I join you today to pay tribute to Britannia and give our thanks to all who have been part of her company.

"Looking back over forty-four years we can all reflect with pride and gratitude upon this great ship which has served the country, the Royal Navy and my family with such distinction."

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She continued: "It is with sadness that we must now say goodbye to Britannia. It is appropriate that with this final event show bows out in the style which is so typical of the manner in which her business has always been conducted."

Now, the Royal Yacht Britannia has been awarded a five-star visitor attraction status by Best UK Attraction with guests able to discover five decks of stories from the Royal Family and the 220 Royal Yachtsmen who served onboard.

The vessel has also been converted into a luxury floating hotel where guests can stay the night, as well as visit the Royal Deck Tea Room.

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The ultimate royal travel guide to Britain, from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle

T he British landscape is awash with royal properties, from stately palaces to historic castles. These include three of the monarch’s official royal residences; Buckingham Palace , Windsor Castle , and Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

But while these historic buildings may have the level of grandeur you might imagine when you picture the Royal family at home, in truth, royals are only ‘resident’ in these buildings on occasion. For some, they are even considered business premises – though they rather put the rest of our offices to shame. 

When it comes to days off from official business, members of the Royal family are more likely to be found in their private homes, such as the King and Queen’s Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, or the Prince and Princess of Wales’s family home of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park. 

While the private homes are exactly that – private – there are plenty of places around Britain where you can walk in the footsteps of the Royal family and get a small glimpse into their lives. Here are some of the best. 

Buckingham Palace, London

Let’s start with the most famous of all royal residences: Buckingham Palace. Elizabeth II largely regarded it as her office, spending weekdays there attending to official business before retreating to Windsor at the weekends.

Now, of course, the palace – whose origins can be traced back to the reign of King James I in the early 17 th century, but which has been the London home of British monarchs since 1837 when Queen Victoria moved in – is the King’s official London residence.

Buckingham Palace is the setting for royal and national celebrations and commemorations; who can forget catching a glimpse of Royal family members from the famous balcony? It’s also where the monarch hosts dignitaries and official banquets – on September 18 2022, the King held a reception for world leaders at the palace on the eve of his mother’s funeral.

As it is a working palace, Buckingham Palace is only open to the public at set times. For 10 weeks each summer, its grand state rooms are opened up. During this time, visitors can see the crimson-and-gold Throne Room, the Royal Mews, and the enormous Ballroom, where all those extravagant state banquets are held. In addition, there are exclusive guided tours at select dates throughout the year.

Those without a ticket or travelling at the wrong time of year can still watch the spectacle of the Changing of the Guard, which takes place outside the palace several days a week at 10.45am (weather dependent but check the schedule ). 

The ceremony has its roots in the reign of King Henry VI and sees the New Guard of soldiers – wearing the customary bearskin hats – march to Buckingham Palace from St James’s Palace and Wellington Barracks accompanied by music. They parade in front of the palace and relieve the ‘Old Guard’ (the soldiers on duty). 

If you are lucky and the King is in residence (the Royal Standard flag will be flying) then there will be an even higher number of sentries than normal taking part in the ceremony.

How to do it

Buckingham Palace (0303 123 7300) is open for 10 weeks each summer (July 14–September 24 2023). The Goring (read our review here ) has double rooms from £710 including breakfast.

Windsor Castle, Windsor

At the start of the Covid pandemic, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip retreated to this castle on the banks of the River Thames to shield with 22 staff members in what became known as ‘HMS Bubble’. After Prince Philip’s death in April 2021, the late Queen remained at Windsor; indeed, she never spent another night at Buckingham Palace.

The castle was originally built for William the Conqueror to defend London from western approaches, but it became a royal palace under King Henry I. Subsequent monarchs extended the palace with its most ambitious makeover undertaken by King Charles II who wanted to emulate the opulence of his cousin Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles.

As well as seeing the rich interiors of the castle, visitors can pay their respects to the late Queen by visiting her final resting place within the King George VI Memorial Chapel inside St George’s Chapel.

In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved to nearby Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Home Park with their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – who attend school locally. It may well be that they will eventually move into the castle itself.

Windsor Castle (0303 123 7300) is open daily (summer). Castle Hotel Windsor (read our review here ) has double rooms from £132 including breakfast.

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

The King’s official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a rather grand building that sits at the opposite end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to the castle. The palace has links with many famous figures from Scottish history – including Bonnie Prince Charlie, who set up court here in 1745 – but the person most visitors want to hear about is Mary, Queen of Scots. Her bedroom can be reached via a winding staircase in the north-west tower of the palace, and is a delight to discover with its low doorway (despite Mary being around 6ft-tall), decorative oak ceiling and painted frieze.

The reigning monarch stays at the palace every year during Holyrood Week (or Royal Week) from late June to early July. During this time they take part in the symbolic Ceremony of the Keys in which the monarch is handed the keys to the city of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost amid much pomp and ceremony.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (0303 123 7306) is open daily July-Sept; it’s closed Tue-Wed in all other months. Cheval Old Town Chambers (read our review here ) has double rooms from £190 including breakfast.

Highgrove House, Gloucestershire

When they are not on official duties, the King and Queen love nothing better than to return to their countryside home of Highgrove in the Cotswolds. As the house is a private home, you can’t peek behind its neoclassical façade, but tours of the exquisite gardens – which Charles has dedicated himself to creating since buying the property in 1980 – are lovely. 

An experienced guide will take you through the gardens, which are a real passion project of His Majesty. You will then be led to the Ante Room, where bespoke Highgrove products – including food and drink made from produce grown here – can be bought and artworks by the King himself admired. This is all followed by cream tea in the Orchard Room, making it an idyllic way to spend an afternoon.

Highgrove is open on select dates for tours between April and September. Calcot & Spa (read the review here ) has double rooms from £364 including breakfast.

Llwynywermod, Llandovery

The Royal family also has a Welsh home. When he was Prince of Wales, Charles bought the 192-acre estate of Llwynywermod in Carmarthenshire, Wales, in 2006. Comprising a farmhouse building, where he and Camilla would regularly holiday, and three cottages, Charles soon set about renovating the house and its adjoining properties in a greener way, using locally sourced materials. 

On Charles’ ascension to the throne, the property was passed on to William, the new Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who also have a strong affection for the Welsh countryside, having spent some of the early years of their marriage living in Anglesey.

What’s special about here is that two of the cottages are available for holiday lets – North Range, for instance, is a beautiful whitewashed converted barn that sleeps six guests across three bedrooms and comes with a flagstone floor, open fire, Welsh furniture and lots of character. The smaller West Range sleeps four guests.

North Range and West Range can be booked through the Duchy of Cornwall (01579 346 473) and cost from £1,225 per week.

Balmoral, Aberdeenshire

Elizabeth II spent her final weeks in Balmoral and this palace in the Highlands was reputedly her favourite home. 

She is not the only royal to have felt an affinity for the place. Queen Victoria, who fell in love with the Highlands during her very first visit in 1842, was the first monarch to call it home. She and Albert loved to escape public life here, embarking on expeditions incognito through the Highlands. 

The late Queen spent every summer at Balmoral (August–October) and she would regularly be joined by other members of the Royal family. When the monarch is not in residence, the site is open to visitors. 

Although you can only see a small section of the castle’s interiors – including the ballroom where Ghillies Balls have historically been held – it’s the majestic setting amid acres of greenery with views across to the Cairngorms that makes a visit here worthwhile. 

The Royal family are considered locals in the nearby village of Ballater and are regularly seen attending services at nearby Crathie Kirk. Indeed in April 2023, Charles and Camilla surprised residents by making an unexpected visit to a new fishmongers and restaurant in the village during a pre-Coronation holiday at Balmoral.

Balmoral (01339 742 534) is open for pre-booked self-guided tours every summer (1 April to 16 Aug 2023). The Fife Arms (read the review here ) has double rooms from £250 including breakfast.

Read more about where the Royal family like to holiday here .

Sandringham, Norfolk

The Royal family traditionally spends Christmas at the sprawling estate of Sandringham. The private country retreat has been a popular haunt since 1862, when the Jacobean house was built for King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra while Edward’s mother was still on the throne.

It was also a favourite of King Charles III’s grandfather, King George VI, and great-grandfather, King George V, who both died here. The house and gardens are a joy to explore. Norfolk is also where Anmer Hall, another of William and Catherine’s homes, is located.

Sandringham (01485 544 112) is open Sat-Thu (summer). The Brisley Bell (read the review here ) has double rooms from £133 including breakfast.

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh

Until 1997 the Royal family would take annual holidays around Scotland’s Western Isles aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia . After the yacht was decommissioned, it was docked in the seaside Edinburgh suburb of Leith in Edinburgh and has since become one of Scotland’s most popular attractions.

A tour of the yacht allows you to peer into the bedroom that Queen Elizabeth II slept in while on board and reveals a glimpse of what life in the Royal family is like when the eyes of the world are not upon them. The late Queen clearly missed her days on board; after the yacht was no longer available to her, she chartered the Hebridean Princess , which offers small-ship cruises, on two separate occasions for special celebrations.

The Royal Yacht Britannia (0131 555 5566) is open daily (summer). Fingal (read the review here ) is a luxurious floating hotel nearby. It has double rooms from £300 including breakfast. The Hebridean Princess (01756 704 704) offers cruises from March to November with prices from £4,420pp for seven nights).

Read more about the travels of Elizabeth II here .

Kensington Palace, London

This west London mansion was the beloved home of Princess Diana and both the Diana Memorial Fountain and the Diana Memorial Playground can be found in its gardens. Apartment 1a is still the London pad of the Prince of Wales and his family. 

For many years, Kensington was known for the magnificent balls that were held across its ornate interconnected rooms and began in the late 17 th century during the era of King William and Mary. The already grandiose interiors were later added to by the Georgians when Kensington became the hub of high society. Elaborate decoration, such as the painted walls around the King’s Staircase which features many characters from George I’s court, were also added. 

As well as standard tours of the palace, regular exhibitions draw on its rich history, telling the stories of past and present royals in new and dynamic ways. Victoria: A Royal Childhood tells the story of one of the palace’s most famous residents. Queen Victoria was born here and the exhibition includes personal items such as her doll house. Other rolling exhibitions let visitors see precious items from the palace’s archive; often including iconic outfits worn by various members of the Royal family.

Kensington Palace (0333 320 6000) is open Wed–Sun (summer).  Baglioni (read the review here ), opposite Kensington Gardens, has double rooms from £494 including breakfast.

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News / Edinburgh & East

Sightseeing bus introduces new tour of 'royal connections'

Attractions such as the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Botanic Garden are part of the new tour.

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• City of Edinburgh
• Royal Family

Edinburgh Bus Tours has introduced a new “regal” tour which hopes to “bring to life the city’s royal connections”.

Adding to the existing live guide-led Edinburgh tour, and CitySightseeing Edinburgh tour, the “regal” service will take in attractions such as the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Botanic Garden.

Operated by Lothian Buses, the new tour launched on Sunday, March 24, also takes in areas in Leith and Newhaven including the shore and the harbour.

Visitors can listen in to a multilingual audio commentary on the tour which visits the Royal Yacht Britannia.

The service runs every 15 minutes and starts at 8.40am every morning and ends at 5.25pm and lasts around 80 minutes per journey.

Sarah Boyd, managing director of Edinburgh Bus Tours, said: “We’re delighted to welcome visitors on board our new Regal Tour, which adds another dimension to our already fantastic five-star tour portfolio.

“We hope visitors to the city will take advantage of our ‘hop-on-hop-off’ tours and take the opportunity to explore our stunning capital city from the top deck.

“All of our tickets include excellent added value offers from key partners across the capital.

“The launch of the Regal Tour marks an exciting moment in our long history in the city of Edinburgh and we look forward to welcoming visitors on board.

“With Edinburgh Bus Tours, visitors can be confident of quality, reliability and value for money”.

Neil Christison, regional director at VisitScotland, said: “It’s great to see Edinburgh Bus Tours investing in the visitor experience in the city and expanding their exceptional tour offering.

“Edinburgh is steeped in the history of Scotland’s monarchs, and recent events have shown there remains a keen fascination from visitors to our royal connections.

“Bus tours are a fantastic way to get around Edinburgh and help encourage visitors to explore beyond the city centre and into the bustling communities of Leith and Newhaven.”

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NEWHAVEN HARBOUR

Ocean terminal & whisky quay, the royal yacht britannia, inside the royal yacht britannia, scottish parliament, royal botanic garden edinburgh, victoria swing bridge, palace of holyroodhouse, the shore, leith.

Choose Your Ticket

24 March 2024 – 2 November 2024 0840 - 1725 Every 15 Minutes

3 November 2024 – 5 April 2025 0920 - 1550 Every 30 Minutes

Edinburgh Bus Tours operates all year round daily

The full tour lasts around 80 minutes. Please note timetables are subject to change.

Route Map of The Regal Tour

You can join this tour at any bus stop, and hop-on hop-off for the duration of your ticket.

Find your nearest Regal Tour stop

LIVE TOUR TIMES

Download the Edinburgh Bus Tours App for live bus times, information on discounts and attractions. Available free for iPhone and Android

Get directions to Waterloo Place

The Regal Tour features a multi-lingual commentary in 9 languages. Headphones are provided on the bus and display screens on the lower deck show subtitled commentary.

Tour Description

The Regal Tour heads north of Edinburgh's city centre towards the port of Leith with highlights including Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Accessibility

All of our tour buses have ramped access.

A Class 2 mobility scooter is welcome on board if a wheelchair accessible space is available. Please note that legally wheelchair users have priority over the use of these spaces. Alternatively, Mobility Scooters can be folded and stored as luggage.

Display screens are located on the lower deck showing subtitled commentary.

Dogs, including assistance dogs, are welcome on all of our tour buses.

Looking for more? Try our other tours...

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Princess Anne's £25k most special jewel boasts unique royal benefit

The princess royal's second engagement ring has an earth-friendly backstory.

Princess Anne 's commitment to sustainability is one of the most impressive and effortless of all the royal family.  

At 73, the thrifty Princess Royal still chooses to recycle clothes she first debuted in her twenties , as well as rewearing the late Queen Elizabeth II 's garments and wearing precious jewellery that has been in her collection for decades. 

Speaking about her penchant for pre-loved fashion, Princess Anne told PA: "You go through the phase when fashion was very structured and people followed fashion, but you had tailors and dressmakers who absolutely fundamentally made that, but you could also alter it because they had the skills to do so.

“Now you’ve got instant fashion which you then throw away, you don’t alter it because it wouldn’t be worthwhile.

"So we’ve got to relearn those skills, go back and say 'actually, we need materials that can do more than one evolution of fashion'.”

In a new study by ethical jewellery brand, KIAASH , Princess Anne's £25,000 engagement ring has been named the 'most eco-conscious celebrity engagement ring' and the most planet-friendly of all the royal family's wedding jewels, boasting a carbon footprint of 1,299Kg. 

KIAASH analysed the carat, setting material and complexity of several engagement ring settings to reveal the hidden carbon footprint of the world’s most iconic celebrity and royal engagement rings.

Princess Anne's stunning cabochon-cut blue sapphire ring, given to her by second husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, has been recognised for its earth-friendly components. 

Flanked by a cluster of delicate diamonds, Anne's beguiling blue sapphire 5-carat ring is truly one-of-a-kind, and broke the mould of royal engagement rings when she was presented with it in 1992 due to its unique design and brightly-coloured stone. 

Sapphires are widely considered the most sustainable and ethical of all precious stones, due to being sourced from localised industries of small-scale artisanal miners.

These low-conflict stones are typically mined by hand, meaning they not only have a lower environmental impact, but sapphire mining creates employment opportunities and supports the local economy.

Princess Anne and Sir Timothy said 'I do' at Crathie Kirk church in Scotland in front of an intimate crowd of just 30 people. The modest guestlist included the royal's parents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips , as well as King Charles (then Prince Charles) and Prince Andrew.

Princess Anne met Timothy when he was serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia as a commander in the Royal Navy, and they have now been married for over 30 years.

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• Welcome Center
• For international skilled professionals and students

Welcome to the website of the Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben!

Since 2014, we have been supporting international professionals and students as well as regional companies with our diverse range of advisory services and events.

Qualified professionals can turn to us for all their questions about living and working in our multifaceted region. Regional companies benefit from our knowledge and experience in recruiting and integrating international professionals.

Feel free to contact us at any time with your questions and suggestions!

The Welcome Center

The Welcome Centre Ulm/Oberschwaben has been located at the self-governing organisation Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Ulm since 1 April 2014. The region of IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) Ulm covers the Alb-Donau district, Biberach and the district of Ulm.

The central task of the Welcome Center is to support companies in finding and retaining skilled workers. Thus, the Welcome Center is one part of the IHK Ulm’s efforts in various spheres of activity to mitigate the progressive shortage of skilled professionals in the region. Since it was founded in 2014, the Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben has cooperated closely with its project partners and regional networks such as the Fachkräftebündnis Ulm/Oberschwaben (Professionals Alliance) in the working group Internationale Fachkräfte (International Specialists), and with the employment agency and universities.

The Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben is one of a total of 10 Welcome Centers in Baden-Württemberg , which are financed partly by the respective funding agencies and partly by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing.

Tasks of the Welcome Center

• To advise small and medium-sized companies in the region on how to attract and retain professionals from abroad
• To provide initial advice to international professionals and their families on working and living in our region
• To offer guidance on dealing with authorities and institutions

Target groups for our work

• Small and medium-sized companies in our region
• International professionals and their families
• Foreign students at the universities in our region

We are ambassadors for our region and act as guides for foreign professionals. We aim to raise awareness in our region and among our companies of the topics of international skilled staff and how to create a welcoming environment for them, and to support the region and companies in taking corresponding steps.

Best Practice examples

Under the slogan #welcometoyourjob, we publish video clips about success stories of international professionals who have found their feet in the region, both professionally and privately. The professionals talk about their experiences and how they came to the companies in Ulm. The Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben accompanied and supported them.

Altin Shijaku from the Kosovo

Dhanya Thondukulam Kannan from India

Lifeng Geiger-Zhu from China

News and events

New to Ulm – arriving professionally

Are you new to Ulm or the Alb-donau district? Do you want to get started professionally or make…

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Rahel Mödinger Head of Welcome Center Ulm/Oberschwaben

Tel. +49 731 . 173-304 Fax +49 731 . 173-5304 [email protected]

Ingrid Kirchner Advisor Companies

Tel. 0731 . 173-133 Fax 0731 . 173-5133 [email protected]

Hanna Bareiß Advisor international skilled professionals and students

Tel. 0731 . 173-241 Fax 0731 . 173-5241 [email protected]

Katrin Hamm Project Assistance

Tel. +49 731 . 173-207 Fax +49 731 . 173-5207 [email protected]

Brochure “Best Practice” as PDF to download

All Ministries of the State of Baden-Württemberg (German web pages)

• State Ministry
• Ministry of the Interior, Digitalisation and Local Government
• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
• Ministry of Science, Research and Arts
• Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy Sector
• Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism
• Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration
• Ministry of Justice and Migration
• Ministry of Transport
• Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection
• Ministry of Regional Development and Housing

State coat of arms

United under one coat of arms

Baden-Württemberg’s unity and diversity are expressed in the State coat of arms, which revisits the historic origins of Baden-Württemberg and symbolically unites them in one cohesive emblem.

Lion, stag and griffon – the symbols and traditions of the regions which make up our state are united in the Baden-Württemberg coat of arms. The three lions embody Schwaben, the stag is the symbol of Württemberg, and the griffon stands for Baden. The six badges lining the crown at the top of the shield represent the six most important historical territories of the Southwest State.

The constitution of the State of Baden-Württemberg only stipulates the State colours as black and gold. The coat of arms of the newly founded State in the Southwest was not added until 1954. The State Parliament decided to adopt a coat of arms which symbolized the union of the young State of Baden-Württemberg, but also honoured the tradition of the former states and regions from which it was formed.

The greater and lesser coat of arms may only be carried on principle by certain authorized authorities and institutions.

: Greater coat of arms

: Lesser coat of arms

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Germany Travel Guide

Ulm Germany: 1-day Itinerary and Map

Ulm is a city in Germany located in the state of Baden-Württemberg . This ancient imperial city is situated on the left bank of the Danube River , known as the birthplace of Albert Einstein.

How to spend one day in Ulm Germany

In this 1-day itinerary in Ulm , discover the main attractions of the city.

Day 1 in Ulm

Start the day by visiting Ulmer Münster , located on Münsterplatz . For panoramic views of the city visit the top of the church tower.

Next to the church is the modern Stadthaus building, which houses a café, and restaurant and hosts various events. And near the Stadthaus building is the Weishaupt Art Gallery .

Head to the Ulm City Wall ( Ulmer Stadtmauer ) along the Danube , and you’ll find the Metzgerturm , a 36-meter-high tower, as well as restaurants and cafes.

Explore the Fischerviertel , the site has numerous restored half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, and bridges around the Blau River .

Schwörhaus is another building in the city, it is the former Palace of the Kings. The site now houses the Museum of Local History .

Things to see

• Ulmer Münster
• Stadthaus Ulm
• Ulmer Rathaus
• Ulm City Wall
• Metzgerturm

Fischerviertel

Day 1 Itinerary Map

Sights in Ulm

1. ulmer münster.

The Ulmer Münster  is a Lutheran church from the Gothic era that was completed only in the 19th century.

It has an observation platform. From the platform, you will have a panoramic view of the city.

Münsterplatz 21, 89073

2. Ulmer Rathaus

The Ulmer Rathaus is located south of the Ulmer Münster on Marktplatz . The oldest part of the current building was built in 1370.

The ornamental astronomical clock was installed around 1520.

Marktpl. 1, 89073

3. Walls of Ulm

The Walls of Ulm were built in 1482 along the banks of the Danube . Much of the 15th-century walls were well preserved.

Along the way, you will find the Metzgerturm 36 meters high.

Unter der Metzig, 89073

4. Schwörhaus

The Schwörhaus , a structure existing since the 17th century, is the former Kings Palace .

The local history museum is located in the “ Schwörhaus ”, which also houses the city archives of Ulm .

Weinhof 12, 89073

5. Fischerviertel

The Fisherman’s Quarter ( Fischerviertel ) located around the Blau  river is a wonderful place to explore on foot.

The site includes numerous restored half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, bridges, excellent restaurants, and places to shop.

6. Einstein Brunnen

The Einstein Fountain is a bronze sculpture made by Jürgen Goertz in 1984.

Zeughausgasse 15, 89073

7. Stadthaus

The Stadthaus is a modern building located near the cathedral . It creates a mixture of the past and the future.

The place has a cafe and a restaurant.

Münsterplatz 50, 89073

8. Weishaupt

The Weishaupt is located near the Ulmer Münster .

The beautiful building has an entrance hall with glass walls that give modernity to the square.

Hans-und-Sophie-Scholl-Platz 1, 89073

9. Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden was founded in 1981, it has an area of 28 hectares, and being one of the largest in Germany . It is maintained by the University of Ulm .

Hans-Krebs-Weg, 89081

Where to stay in Ulm

1. maritim ulm.

Located on the banks of the Danube 15 minutes from the center, the Maritim Hotel Ulm offers comfort and elegance.

Rooms feature a seating area, flat-screen TV, and minibar.

The hotel has an indoor pool and a restaurant on the 16th floor.

Basteistraße 40, 89073

2. Boutique 005 Ulm City

Boutique 005 Ulm City is a charming hotel located just a short distance from the Ulmer Münster and the banks of the Danube .

The rooms are elegant and equipped with a flat-screen TV and a work desk.

Sterngasse 17, 89073 Ulm, Germany

3. LAGO hotel & restaurant am see

Located on the banks of the river, the LAGO hotel & restaurant am see offers comfortable rooms with all modern amenities.

All rooms have a flat-screen TV, work desk, and minibar.

The hotel has a restaurant and a bar.

Friedrichsau 50, 89073 Ulm, Germany

4. Hotel Löwen

Hotel Löwen is a family-run hotel located in the Söflingen district of a former monastery 25 minutes away by public transport from central Ulm .

The rooms are individually decorated and equipped with a TV and work desk.

The hotel has a restaurant.

Klosterhof 41, 89077 Ulm, Germany

5. Leonardo Royal Hotel Ulm

Leonardo Royal Hotel Ulm is located next to the city’s central station and 1.3 km (0.8 miles) from the Ulmer Münster .

The modern rooms feature a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, electric kettle, and minibar.

The hotel has a gym and a sauna.

Mörikestraße 17, 89077 Ulm, Germany

Shopping in Ulm

1. galeria kaufhof.

Galeria Kaufhof is a German department store chain with many stores in Germany .

The company features brands like Esprit, S. Oliver, Tom Taylor, Gerry Weber, Tommy Hilfiger, Bugatti, Olymp.

Bahnhofstraße 5, 89073

2. Glacis-Galerie Ulm

The Glacis-Galerie is located 1 km from the Ulmer Rathaus .

Brands: Zara, New Yorker, Deichmann, Schuhe.

Plan your Trip

Ulm  has easy train access from various cities in  Germany . Famous cities nearby:  Stuttgart , Augsburg, Munich .

Stuttgart – 92.1 km (57.2 miles)

Augsburg – 86 km (53.5 miles)

Munich – 157 km (97.6 miles)

Book a Train Trip

Ulm Germany Map

Book your trip, book your accommodation.

Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights to Germany by using  Momondo . Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.

Book a Train Ticket

Check the train routes and schedules with Omio . Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com .

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